Sobers, Garry (1936-…), was one of the greatest all-around players in the history of cricket. The government of his native Barbados declared Sobers a “national hero” in 1998 for his achievements in international cricket. Sobers was a left-handed, middle-order batsman and scored 8,032 runs in Test cricket, more than any other West Indian. He was also the first cricketer of any country to pass the total of 8,000 runs in Test cricket. Sobers bowled either fast-medium with the new ball, or slow, left-arm spinners. In Test cricket, he took 235 wickets and also made 109 catches.
Sobers first played for Barbados in 1953. He began his Test career in 1954 and played in 93 Tests between then and 1972. His greatest feat was his score of 365 not out against Pakistan in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1958. This was the highest individual innings in Test cricket history until broken in 1994 by Brian Lara. Sobers also played for Nottinghamshire, in England, and for South Australia.
Garfield (Garry) St. Aubrun Sobers was born on July 28, 1936, in Bridgetown, Barbados. He was knighted in 1975.
